Life & Style - Spring 2016 by The Southern Illinoisan

SOUTHERN

ILLINOIS

YOUR YARD YEAR in a

12-month landscaping checklist

SPRING 2016

INSIDE Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins: A truly magical place with treehouses for any kind of getaway Repurposed property: Williamson County home thrived as bed and breakfast Life & Style : Spring 2016

Making your home more beautiful, One room at a time. Deloufleur Décor and Designs staff has a total of 25 years’ experience in the field. The level of knowledge you’ll receive from our designers will be on par with the best in the industry. Denise Fann, Owner/Designer of Deloufleur worked at Coleman Rhoads Furniture in West Frankfort for 18 years, prior to their closure. Her specialties include professional interior design and decorating. Brands we Carry Bradington Young • Rowe • Hooker • Canadel • Cozzia Message Chairs Kincaid Upholstery • Stears & Foster • Tropitone Patio • Sam Moore • Bernhardt Lane Wesley Allen • Winners Only & many more

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

“Liberty Estates is like one big family! We are happy here and this is where we are supposed to be. We love all the perks of living here and especially enjoy the AJ’s Fitness program. We signed up as soon as the gym opened! We have lived here almost 4 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else!”

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710 North Illinois Avenue P.O. Box 2108 Carbondale, Illinois 62901 618-529-5454, 800-228-0429 fax 618-529-3774 www.LifeandStyleSI.com john.pfeifer@thesouthern.com

Spring 2016 Publisher/Editor ..................... John Pfeifer Art Direction ................... Rhonda M. May Design..................... Lacey Hoopengardner Contributors.................... Shawn Connelly Chanda Green Cara Recine Joe Szynkowski Les Winkeler Photography ........................ Byron Hetzler Richard Sitler Copy Editing .......................... Tom English Mary Thomas Layton Distribution .................. Mark Romanowski Niche Product Manager........ Aimee Elkin Advertising Sales ................ Jaime Arview Mary Galli LeAnne Gaydos Kendra Kelly Lucas Grotts Adam Sauerbrunn Ashley Zborek Advertising Design.................. Rose Baffi Jay Stemm

Life & Style in Southern Illinois is a publication of The Southern Illinoisan. Contact us at 710 N. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901, or at P.O. Box 2108, Carbondale, IL 62902. Reach us on the Internet at www.LifeandStyleSI.com. Life & Style in Southern Illinois is published four times per year and is distributed free of cost to a variety of businesses and hotels in Southern Illinois. ÂŠ 2016 by The Southern Illinoisan. All rights reserved. For more information, call 618-529-5454. Visit us online at www.thesouthern.com.

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CONTENTS

YOUR YARD 44 IN A YEAR

where we live Williamson County home thrived as bed and breakfast

10 15 questions 35 42 scenic beauty 54 cheers to beer artist 56

social seen Check out who you know in

one of our most popular features

We asked them, and Daniel Presley gave his candid answers

Fern Clyffe beg to be seen anew with each passing season

Abbey Ridge Brewery & Tab Room keeps connection to medieval origins of making ale

Dave Dardis, metal artist, creates monument and plans for solar eclipse in 2017

6 Life & Style : Spring 2016

Month-to-month landscaping checklist

trends Mandala Gardens: Where dreams take root and grow into the fantastic

getaway A truly magical place with treehouses! for any kind of getaway

cover photo

This could be your yard! The photograph is of Mandala Gardens in Marion, and although homeowners Greg Reid and Diana Tigerlily have been working for quite some time on the place, it all started the same way you can begin to improve your landscaping. Story on Page 30.

this issue

spirits in our backyard profile people

29 36 38 52

how to good eats lens envy parting shot

SOUTHERN

ILLINOIS

YOUR YARD YEAR in a

12-month landscaping checklist

SPRING 2016

INSIDE Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins: A truly magical place with treehouses for any kind of getaway Repurposed property: Williamson County home thrived as bed and breakfast Life & Style : Spring 2016

62 74 78 80

Life & Style : Spring 2016

TOGETHER WE

POWER SIU

EDITORIAL John Pfeifer publisher/editor

SIU Foundation donors make an impact that is felt for generations. Every student who wants to improve the world has a chance because of you.

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Cliché or not, it is, indeed, a small world It’s a small world. And even though advice to writers always includes avoidance of clichés, I’m using it, despite that advice, because it’s so appropriate. Here’s why. In December, I had an unexpected opportunity to visit the Caribbean island of Jamaica. Richard Sitler, a photographer for The Southern Illinoisan, had taken an assignment updating information for Fodor’s Travel Guide. We share a love of traveling, and he had a special connection to Jamaica. He was there with the U.S. Peace Corps, mostly in the country’s interior, serving as an educator. Richard says he invited me on this PHOTO BY RICHARD SITLER Fodor’s trip to be his assistant along Cara Recine with Kyle the way, but I still think it was mostly his Mais, general manager humanitarian nature. at Jamaica Inn. We landed in Montego Bay, on the northern coast, and headed to our first stop in a rental car that Richard drove – sitting on the “wrong” side of the car and driving on the “wrong” side of the road. We headed east along the northern coast and arrived in Ocho Rios, where we spent several days. Then it was on to the southeastern coastal town of Port Antonio, back up to Dunn’s River Falls and Ochie, then down to Kingston, on the southwest coast. Nine days later, I took a bus back to Montego Bay. When I arrived in St. Louis very late in the evening, I realized I had left my jacket on the seat in the boarding area of my previous

stop. The temperature here was in the low 30s, and I had to wait on my hotel shuttle. So, I gathered myself and my luggage into a tight, little corner of the outside waiting area. It wasn’t long, minutes really, when a man and a woman joined me. I asked the obvious questions — “Where have you been?” “Where are you from?” — and was delighted when they said they were from Southern Illinois, a town called Marion. I don’t remember if we exchanged names. Their shuttle arrived first, and off they went. A few days later, back at work, a family emergency made it necessary for me to fill in for Richard, photographing the Creal Springs home of Anna and Robert Bordenave, which is featured in this issue on page 22. Marilyn Halstead, a reporter and food writer for The Southern, went with me, armed with camera, to help capture images. We toured the home with writer Joe Szynkowski, and, toward the end of the morning, we were gathered in the entry way, saying our goodbyes and thank-you’s. I apologized again for my terrible cold and mentioned something about the cure being a return trip to Jamaica as soon as possible. “We just got back from the Dominican,” Anna said. Ah, ha! “Now I know where I know you from,” I exclaimed. They, too, had been trying to figure out why I looked so familiar. The three of us had spent a few freezing minutes together, outside Lambert airport a week before. In January, I left my job at The Southern after 27 years and eight months. And while I have lots of plans and projects planned, I am sure I will see some of you out and about, because it is, after all, a small world.

Cara Recine, Editor LIFE & STYLE IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS

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SOCIAL SEEN

FALL FAMILY SOCIAL AND AUCTION AT BREHM

The Brehm School Foundation hosted OPTIONS Fall Family Social and Auction on November 23. Parents, students, and staff enjoyed an evening of festivities, which included student awards, silent auction, hors d’oeuvres prepared by Chef Ethan Light, photo booth and music by The Jewels. OPTIONS mission is to empower students with complex learning disabilities and differences to recognize and optimize their potential throughout their lifetime. 5

1. Angela LeBlanc of Carbondale, Joel Kottman of Atlanta

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8. Gary & Sandra Miller of Naperville, Jennifer Phillips of DeSoto

3. Chris Dew of Algonquin, Elizabeth Tindall of Houston 4. Maddie Moore and Elizabeth Moore of Marshall 5. Rogers Parker of Montgomery, Alabama; Jackson McDonald of Atlanta 6. Leigh Parker of Montgomery, Alabama; Kaye and David Gibbs of Brentwood, Tennessee

9. Jocelyn Turner of Marion, Richard Ludlam of Marlboro, Massachusetts 10. Joshua Heeney of Leawood, Kansas; Lyndsey Walls of Carbondale 11. Rachelle Ridgeway of Du Quoin, Charlene Reed of Carbondale PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SAL COSTELLO

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SOCIAL SEEN

THE GIFT OF ART AT UNIVERSITY MUSEUM

A reception on Dec. 16 was hosted at SIUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University Museum honoring Carl W. Lutes, an SIU alumnus and Carbondale resident, for his promised gift of his outstanding Renaissance art and furniture collection. 1

PHOTOS BY STEVE BUHMAN

1. Museum Curator Susannah Munson, Assistant Curator Kyle Clymore, Carl Lutes, Registrar Eric Jones, Director Dona Bachman, Dean Meera Komarraju, Curator of Exhibits Alison Erazmus 2. SIU President Randy Dunn, Carl Lutes, SIUC Interim Chancellor Brad Colwell

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

Pine Lakes Golf Course

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HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST More than 80 people attended the Halloween Party and Scary Gallery on Oct. 30 at University Museum at SIU. Three of the attendees were costume contest winners. 1

1. In first place: Auguste Rodin’s ‘Burghers of Calais’ as portrayed by Debbie Durst, Renee Mavigliano, Ron Durst, Jan Treece, Harry Treece and George Mavigliano, all of Carterville 2. In second place: Monet’s ‘Water Lillies’ as portrayed by Olga Weidner and Joyce Hesketh, both of Carbondale 3. In third place: Giuseppe Arcimboldo ‘Fruit’ portrayed by Ron Naversen of Makanda PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DONA BACHMAN

Life & Style : Spring 2016

SOCIAL SEEN

SALUKIS BLACKOUT CANCER FUNDRAISER Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation and Saluki women’s basketball team joined together on Jan. 8 for the annual Salukis Blackout Cancer fundraiser. This unique fundraiser, with proceeds from the jersey bidding going to the SIH Cancer Institute in Carterville, allows bidders to place the name of a friend or loved one on the back of the jerseys the players wear on game day. Individuals and families who successfully bid on the namesake jerseys are pictured next to the players. 2 3

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY SIU ATHLETICS

1. Ashley Hummel with Madison Dickerson and Gary Dickerson of Hurst 2. The team from the bench 3. Blair Stephenson with Jacob Trammel with Kappa Alpha Order of Carbondale 4. Carli Corrigan and Caren Corrigan of Plainfield with Kim Nebo (center) 5. Cartesha Macklin with Charles Helleny of Herrin and Carlie Corrigan 6. Craig Englert of O’Fallon and Celina VanHyfte

Life & Style : Spring 2016

7. Cyndi Roberts of Murphysboro and Azia Washington 8. Dyana Pierre with Kelly Yeske of Herrin 9. The Saluki women’s basketball team and jersey winners 10. Olivia Bowling and Lori Giebelhausen of East Peoria 11. Rachel Spolarich and Carmen Spolarich of Creal Springs with Kylie Giebelhausen (right) 12. Rishonda Napier with Bryce Williams of Carbondale

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

SOCIAL SEEN

SHAWNEE HILLS WINE TRAIL 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

Fans of wine and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail helped celebrate 20 years at the Carbondale Civic Center on Nov. 14. Wineries provided samples, Cristaudoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Carbondale provided food, and Kevin Lucas provided musical entertainment. Some lucky participants went home with a bottle of wine after a wine pull.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KAYLI PLOTNER

1. Barb Rester and Dominic Cittadino of Carbondale

Stan South, manager at Honker Hill in Carbondale

2. Jim Ewers, co-owner of Blue Sky Vineyards in Makanda; Becca Romer, tasting room staff

11. Tyce Saylor, Alto Vineyards in Alto Pass

3. Karrie Ewers, Blue Sky Vineyards; Donna Walters, Illinois Grape Growers Association 4. Jim Temple and Gerd Hedman, co-owner Hedman Vineyards in Alto Pass 5. Nancy Pemberton of Marion, Jessica Tonias of Carbondale 6. Nancy Pemberton of Marion; Pattie Cagle, Kirsten Parrish and Terri Green, all of Marion 7. Sandra Colombo of Herrin, Karen Uban of West Frankfort 8. Tom Gillman, sales at Owl Creek Vineyard in Cobden; Dan and Judy Lecocq of Murphysboro 9. Donna Irons of De Soto, Meleah Paschall of Cambria 10. Jayne Kemeriling, server, and

Life & Style : Spring 2016

12. Joyce and Paul Pyatt of Pickneyville 13. Jon Womack of Pomona, Severin Presswood, winemaker at Hickory Ridge Vineyards in Pomona 14. Aaron Ketner, Rustle Hill general manager; Teri Hammond, Rustle Hill business development 15. Jim Ewers, Greg Walters of Marion 16. Dalice Torres, sales at Von Jakob Winery and Brewery; Keith Reinhardt of Carbondale, Nancy Kucera of Cobden 17. Nancy Kucera of Cobden, Keith Reinhardt of Carbondale 18. Christina and Brad Genung, owners of Owl Creek

10 11

Life & Style : Spring 2016

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19. Mike Bost of Murphysboro, Nancy Trude of Carbondale, Tracy Bost of Murphysboro

20. Jane Payne and George Majka, owners Pomona Winery; Becky Schneider, winemaker at Pomona 21. Sylvia Presswood, co-owner Hickory Ridge; Severin Presswood 22. Barbara and Jim Bush, owners of Kite Hill in Carbondale 23. Keith Reinhardt of Carbondale and Meleah Paschall of Cambria 24. Steve Green of Marion and Barrett Rochman of Makanda and co-owner of Blue Sky Vineyards 25. Becca Romer and Molly Gable, both of Blue Sky Vineyards 26. Regina and Brett Morrison, owners of StarView Vineyards in Cobden, and Gerd Hedman, co-owner Hedman Vineyards in Alto Pass 18

Life & Style : Spring 2016

SOCIAL SEEN

RENZAGLIA CELEBRATES OVER 30 YEARS WITH ALTO VINEYARDS On Dec. 28th, friends and family of Paul Renzaglia celebrated over 30 years of work with Alto Vineyards and the Illinois wine industry as he ends day-to-day business with the winery. 2

1. Owner/winemaker Paul Renzaglia 2. Wine industry and friends (back row from left), Frank Lafoon, Ray Swift, Brad Genung, Brett Morrison, Ron Presswood, Barb Bush, Jim Bush; (second row from left), Martha Swift, Gerd Hedman, Anders Hedman, Paul Renzaglia, Regina Morrison, Noella Orlandini, Sylvia Presswood, Marsha Forrest, Becky Schneider; and (front row from left), Jane Payne, George Majka 3. Renzaglia family and friends (back row from top left), Joey Renzaglia,

Julia Renzaglia, Liz Renzaglia, Catherine Renzaglia, Dan Renzaglia, Gary Renzaglia, Alec Weir, Adelle Renzaglia, Rhiana Draper, Guy Draper, Jim Weir, Wayne Womac; (second row from left), Miguel Womac, Rylan Renzaglia, Carly Weir, Debbie Renzaglia, Betty Renzaglia; and (front row from left), Katrina Renzaglia, Morgan Draper, Paul Renzaglia, Kaya Upthegrove, Mary Jo Renzaglia-Weir, Elissa HopkinsSchroeder, Beth Hopkins-Schroeder, Ayelén Ríos, Karen Renzaglia

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY COREY PETERS

Life & Style : Spring 2016

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2016 Participating Restaurants Aban Kitchen Blend Tea & Crêpe Lounge Bottoms Up Bar & Grill Centralia House Chuck's BBQ Country Cupboard Restaurant Delish 7 Spice Fat Patties Jack's Meat Market & Deli Jackson County Country Club Jordo's Pizzeria Kaya Korean & Japanese Restaurant La Amistad Mexican Restaurant Longbranch Café & Bakery Mi Patio Mexican Grill Pizza & Pasta Express Ranch House Restaurant Rare Chophouse Red Hawk Golf & Grill Riverview Mansion Hotel & Levee Lounge Thai Taste The Underground Barrel Room & Grill Walt's Restaurant Life & Style : Spring 2016

WHERE WE LIVE

Life & Style : Spring 2016

Repurposed

PROPERTY Williamson County home once thrived as bed and breakfast BY JOE SZYNKOWSKI

hen searching for a property to fulfill their dreams of operating a bed and breakfast, it didn’t take Anna and Robert Bordenave long to fall in love with the French country, threestory home surrounded by 98 acres they found in rural Williamson County. The arduous process of renovating and restoring the home, however? That’s another story. With roof leaks, hanging insulation, broken windows and warped decking, Oakridge Manor was a full year of renovation away from being move-in ready when the Bordenaves bought it in 2002. So away they worked, laying ceramic tile, replacing windows, removing walls and repurposing rooms to create a luxurious, welcoming bed and breakfast. “It looked like the old Bates haunted hotel when we bought it,” Robert said, laughing. “It was not in good shape. Luckily, we had a vision and were able to make it happen.” The result is an remarkably designed, perfectly laid out complex. The Bordenaves are hopeful their home, now on the market, can fit the needs of a larger family or entrepreneur seeking the perfect estate for a hospitality haven. The home features six bedrooms, nine bathrooms, a pool house, a sunken garden and a 24-foot-by-48-foot in-ground pool. “I wish people could see what kind of shape it was in when we bought it,” Anna said. “It really has been a transformation.”

DREAM HOME Photos by RICHARD SITLER

ABOVE: Knockout roses adorn much of what the Bordenaves call a lower-walled garden, which leads to the in-ground pool. They planted 650 boxwoods to serve as hedges, which Robert keeps manicured. RIGHT: Anna stands outside their home. Gardening and landscaping have been longtime pastimes for the Bordenaves, who’ve lived all over the world, including Spain and the Netherlands.

Anna and Robert were living in O’Fallon when they set out to find a location for their prospective bed and breakfast. Robert had been stationed at Scott Air Force Base, and then stayed in the area after retiring from the military to work as a project management consultant. Life & Style : Spring 2016

WHERE WE LIVE

Photos by RICHARD SITLER

The 6,800-square-foot house was renovated by the Bordenaves, who moved from Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Fallon. 24

Life & Style : Spring 2016

Photos by CARA RECINE

TOP: ‘In the kitchen, we did everything but the granite counter top work,’ says Anna, who had the job of placing and grouting the ceramic tiles throughout the kitchen and bathrooms. ‘We enjoy that kind of work, plus we wanted to save money where we could.’ ABOVE RIGHT: The formal sitting room in the home features an original fireplace and a raised sitting area with windows overlooking a few of the property’s 98 acres. ABOVE LEFT: The Bordenaves like wallpaper but didn’t want to do the whole house with it. They settled on this stunning setting. It is the home’s entry. The stair railings are original to the home. The curved walls required a professional, one of the few things the couple didn’t do themselves.

Life & Style : Spring 2016

WHERE WE LIVE

The couple could have moved anywhere in the country and spent time looking into properties in Colorado and on the East coast. They chose Southern Illinois. “Robert read an article in Midwest Living about the wonders of the Marion, Illinois, area and saw that it was a good place for hiking and biking,” said Anna, a native New Yorker and retired medical technologist. “I saw it on a Tuesday,” Robert recalled. “By Thursday, I brought Anna down, and we had an offer in by 1:30 that day.” Now that the dust has settled from the couple’s massive restoration, it’s easy to 26

Life & Style : Spring 2016

see why the Bordenaves fell in love with the property. But back then, it took a little more imagination. “I think we knew right away what it could become,” Robert said. “It seemed to have the perfect layout for what we were looking to do.” The bed and breakfast opened in the spring of 2004 and continued to serve guests until the end of 2012, when the Bordenaves finally decided to fully retire.

OLD AND NEW

Not everything within the 6,800-squarefoot home needed to be overhauled. The home’s pine trim is still untouched

throughout the home, holding its sheen for decades. Much of the layout was left in tact, save for tearing down a few walls and adding a lower-level bedroom. For the work the Bordenaves did take on, they did most of it themselves. “In the kitchen, we did everything but the granite counter top work,” said Anna, who had the job of placing and grouting the ceramic tiles throughout the kitchen and bathrooms. “We enjoy that kind of work, plus we wanted to save money where we could.” Solid cherry cabinetry accentuates the ceramics throughout the kitchen, as does plenty of natural light spilling into

Photos by CARA RECINE

the room. The casual dining room off to the right was quite a chore to build out, requiring a rework of the heating ventilation and removal of a wall to give the space a more open feel. Robert is a talented carpenter with a large woodworking shop in the home, complete with dust ventilation equipment and high-quality tools. He has also taken up stained-glass projects. “A lot of the furniture throughout the home he actually built,” Anna said. “He’s very talented.” While some of the furniture was created by Robert, other pieces — like the large French Oak cabinetry in the family room

— came from Belgium, when the couple was stationed overseas in the Air Force. The bathrooms required the most work for the Bordenaves. “It was very much a ‘70s house in terms of bathrooms with bright blue, black, chocolate brown,” Robert said. “Every bathroom had a different color.” Now the bathrooms are more uniform in both functionality and design, while still holding some distinctions from each other to give each suite some diversity.

‘It was not in good shape. Luckily, we had a vision and were able to make it happen.’

AN AMAZING EXTERIOR

LEFT: One of two lamps reflecting the couple’s admiration of architect and designer Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Bordenaves had never even driven through Southern Illinois before buying

— ROBERT BORDENAVE RIGHT: The painting and doll — La Bufana, the good Italian Christmas witch — were acquired on one of the couple’s European trips.

Life & Style : Spring 2016

WHERE WE LIVE the manor, except to take their son to Camp Ondessonk for two summers. From the looks of their landscaping work, they captured the essence of the region with beautiful irises, knockout roses and vinca. Much like the interior, the exterior of the home took some serious renovations. The base of the fountain in front of the house was completely buried in out-ofcontrol bushes. Ivy snaked up the walls of the home, and shrubbery covered the windows. Anna describes their expansive garden as low-maintenance because much of it is filled with perennials, and the use of trap rocks help discourage weeds. Last year, she planted vinca, a ground cover to replace closed-in grassy areas in the garden. “We got tired of mowing them with a hand mower,” Anna said. “It’s so much prettier now. In the spring, it gets little blue flowers on them. No work to it.” Knockout roses adorn much of what the Bordenaves call a lower-walled garden, which leads to their in-ground pool. They planted 650 boxwoods to serve as hedges, which Robert keeps manicured down to 18 inches high and 12 inches wide. Between the irises and knockout roses are sky-pencil holly, which stand out like sentinels throughout the grounds. Japanese maple, variegated willow and ornamental plum add to the luster. Gardening and landscaping have been longtime pastimes for the Bordenaves, who have lived all over the world, including Spain and the Netherlands. Now, the two are looking forward to their next project — selling their 98-acre spread. They’ve already picked out a retirement community in Las Vegas, but relocating is on hold until they can find a buyer for Oakridge Manor. With all of the work, finances and time that have gone into resorting the grounds, it will be a bittersweet moment when an offer is accepted. “We couldn’t have asked for more from the house,” Robert said. “Renovating it was an enjoyable experience. To see the vision coming true is what kept us going.” JOE SZYNKOWSKI is a freelance writer for Life & Style in Southern Illinois. Reach out to him at joe@jskiwrite.com or @JoeSzynkowski on Twitter. (Mary Layton contributed to this story.) RIGHT: The most private place to stay in the home is a separate loft, which features a large, jetted tub and separate shower (above). Photo by CARA RECINE

Life & Style : Spring 2016

your spirit

Supplement Multi V Vodka revolutionizing your favorite drinks BY JOE SZYNKOWSKI January not only signified the beginning of a new year, but also marked the launch of a new product that could change how Southern Illinoisans consume their vodkabased beverages. Multi V Vodka was born in Southern Illinois, and it is produced in Bend, Oregon, distilled five times with water from the Cascade Mountains and purified with proprietary filtration technologies. Co-founders Jacek Wiltowski and Jesse Rochman, both raised in Carbondale, have jumped all hurdles required to bring a new alcoholic beverage to market. They’re confident their efforts will pay off. “There is nothing else like this out there in the United States today,” Wiltowski said. “We have created something here that is unique, highquality and craved by consumers everywhere.” Multi V Vodka contains zero carbohydrates and only 82 calories. The drink is 35 percent alcohol by volume and 70 proof. The new vodka offering may come at the right time. Data from the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States showed a 1.6 percent volume increase in vodka drinkers in 2014, but also reported signs of “flavor fatigue” from consumers fed with up fancy alterations to their favorite drink. “We say that Multi V supplements your spirit,” Wiltowski said. “It also tastes amazing. We put in a lot of research to find some of the purest water in the United States and the best distillery partner. All of that goes into how the final product turned out.” Wiltowski and Rochman have been friends for more than 20 years. The story behind their new product

reads a bit like the punchline of a joke, because it starts with a banker (Wiltowski) and a lawyer (Rochman) walking into a bar. While sitting in the bar, the friends were discussing the lack of great vodkas on the market, none of which were enhanced, so they could enjoy their drinks without feeling the effects the next day. Wiltowski and Rochman are focused on solving this problem. “Consumers are more aware than ever of what they are eating and drinking,” Wiltowski said. “We’re confident FIND that Multi V will THEM be a product sought out by Multi V Vodka, this market.” Carbondale Wiltowski’s 484-212-5212 mother is a www.drinkv.com chemist and multivllc@gmail. helped devise the com original formula for the vodka. The co-founders then hired strategic experts in the liquor industry, who perfected the formula and set out on the long process of developing a compliant, unique product. After four years of product development and teaming up with Bend Distillery, an ultra-premium craft vodka distiller from Oregon, Multi V Vodka was born. The drink’s website (www.drinkv.com) markets itself as “a great vodka stripped of what makes you feel guilty and enhanced with essential ingredients that let you take pleasure in drinking it.” Multi V Vodka will be distributed in Southern Illinois first, but Wiltowski and Rochman are looking to expand quickly. “We are all about supporting the local economy in Southern Illinois, and are looking to make a mark here,” Wiltowski said. “We’re sourcing distributors, retailers, restaurants and bars interested in carrying Multi V. We were both raised in Carbondale and want to make Southern Illinois our home base.”

SPIRITS

Photo by BILL RON, COURTESY OF MULTI V

Photo by BYRON HETZLER

Jacek Wiltowski and Jesse Rochman are co-founders of Multi V Vodka. Life & Style : Spring 2016

TRENDS

Photo by BYRON HETZLER

Greg Reid (left) and Diana Tigerlily pose in the ‘Infinity Arch,’ one of two stone works in their backyard garden at Mandala Gardens in Marion.

Mandala Gardens Where dreams take root and grow into the fantastic

BY CHANDA GREEN In September 1998, Greg Reid and Diana Tigerlily, future owners of Mandala Gardens, and their daughter, Raynah, found a house on four acres for sale in Marion, their first home together. This was the one, they decided. Now, most people seeing the same house might not immediately think of the things dreams are made of. The roof was caving in, the basement had a half-foot of standing water, and there were piles of rusted junk all over the property. But Greg and Diana are not most people; they are dreamers, and their dream was to help nurture this little plot of land back to health and create a beautiful place to live, as simple as that. “We understood that we might not stay here forever, but felt we should treat the 30 Life & Style : Spring 2016

land as though we would. If we ended up leaving, our work would be a gift to the land and its next dwellers, and, in the meantime, we would be creating a beautiful place,” Diana said. “Greg and I began clearing the piles of junk from the land and hauling in horse manure,” Diana said. “We recycled the junk and composted. Ten monstrous mounds of manure rose up, steaming like holy nitrogen shrines. We looked at (it) and said that it was good.” Side by side, Greg and Diana picked up their spades, split the sod, double-dug the dirt and raised the beds, all the while dreaming of a place that would be called Mandala Gardens.

THE DESIGN

Diana designed their first gardens as mandalas — spiritual and ritual symbols

in Indian religions, representing the universe — including one with 12 raised beds inside a circle, representing the wheel of the zodiac, and another as a star inside a circle. As they worked to make those visions a reality, they also planted pine trees around the borders and random varieties of fruit, deciduous and coniferous trees. “I was on the lookout for volunteer oak trees to nurture, while Greg had eyes for cypress,” she said. The next garden would be a classical labyrinth or the Hopi Mother Earth Symbol. “I envisioned our labyrinth as huge and bursting with life, color, scent and texture,” she said. “I wanted to build it as a gift for people to walk through and find healing and home place. One of mine and Greg’s favorite rituals was to dream

PHOTOS PROVIDED

ABOVE: A pond glistens through stonework. LEFT: ‘Talisman’ was created by Carey Netherton.

‘We invite you to visit our home, Mandala Gardens, explore the pathways of beauty, sit on hidden benches in quiet spots, have a chat with our goats or chickens, and enjoy the day.’ — DIANA TIGERLILY, CO-OWNER OF MANDALA GARDENS Life & Style : Spring 2016

TRENDS

of our future while walking the spiral with our morning coffee. So far, everything we’ve dreamed together has come true.”

THE STRUGGLES OF LIFE

Mandala Gardens rose from the earth in the next few years, but not without some really back-breaking work by Greg and Diana. And while they worked on their dream, they also worked in the real world, a world of college classes for Diana and teaching junior high school for Greg. By 2003, Diana had been accepted into the Ph.D. program at SIU. She finished her doctorate in December 2009 and was applying for jobs and preparing for the possibility of moving away. “Then springtime came to Southern Illinois,” Diana wrote. “The economy was in the thick of its notorious downturn, and the redbuds were in bloom. The peonies seduced me with their frilly silk. The lilacs intoxicated me with their fragrant cliché. The tulips screamed neon announcements that they survived the deer. “We laid sandstone paths. We planted trees. Just when I thought I had successfully detached from our land, here I was with its very soil under my nails — burying roots, leveling rock and loving every weed and broken hinge and flooded low-spot.”

THE REALIZATION

PHOTOS PROVIDED

ABOVE: A sitting area at the garden. TOP: Labyrinth with ‘Moongate’, created by Thea Alvin. RIGHT: Sunflowers, Tuberose and Balsam outside the greenhouse door. 32

Life & Style : Spring 2016

Diana had realized that she didn’t want to leave Southern Illinois, but, at the same time, she had an interview for a dream job in New York City. Then Diana and Greg found out that the house and three acres next door were for sale, and at a good price. Several long walks and long talks later, they had decided to stay. Diana and Greg threw themselves into creating their vision of oak trees and labyrinths, healing gardens and goats spread across seven acres, a place called

Mandala Gardens. Diana cited several not-so-subtle signs from the universe that affirmed their decision. They stayed in the first house and dreamed of turning the second into an educational center, while they dramatically transformed the land with a pond, new gardens, greenhouses, chickens and a cord wood chicken house, and two original works of stone art, “Infinity Arch” and “Moongate” by stone artist, sculptor and friend Thea Alvin. In the process, they have created many beautiful settings for everything from meditation to education to photography and special events.

THE GLORY

“Bringing our dream of Mandala Gardens to life continues to be a lifelong process. We are still in the early stages and are generating new beauty every day,” Diana wrote. “We invite you to visit our home, Mandala Gardens, explore the pathways of beauty, sit on hidden benches in quiet spots, have a chat with our goats or chickens, and enjoy the day.” During the growing season, Mandala Gardens offers a rainbow variety of heirloom vegetables and potted herbs, from French Thyme to Pineapple Sage, for sale on their hay wagon, parked out front. Payment is made per the honor system. Events are held in the gardens, and photographers use the garden as a beautiful backdrop for their photos. Their goal is to host classes throughout the year in the education center. There are no community gardens yet or plots to rent to the public, although you might have thought so, seeing the parade of young people working the land from February through September. They’re WWOOF’ers. WWOOF stands for Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms. WWOOF signs people up to spend

TAKE A TOUR For more information or to take a virtual tour of the gardens, visit mandalagardens.org. For an appointment, call 618-889-9228. Mandala Gardens is at 1704 N. State St. in Marion. And don’t forget to check its website or Facebook page for seasonal hours, educational programs, labyrinth walks and other events.

some time on a host farm, learning about the organic movement and sustainable agriculture for room and board, and Mandala Gardens served as a host farm last year. “Local people call and ask about working in the garden,” Greg said. “Some just want to work in the soil, to work outside, in a garden.”

“We always welcome community members interested in volunteering here,” Diana said. “We’re moving into a phase of creating educational opportunities for the public. The overarching idea is to provide a place of beauty and peace, a sanctuary, a place of healing, a place to get away and experience nature. Natural beauty is really important to our well-being, and we wanted to create, using the materials at hand. We want to share that. We’re just not really sure how we’ll do that, or what we’ll do next.” Greg and Diana want to offer more classes for well-being, more holistic services and more creative ways of artistic expression — perhaps a small gallery to display local art on consignment — under a general holistic umbrella and find more ways to share the unique artistic landscape that is Mandala Gardens. Life & Style : Spring 2016

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

15 QUESTIONS

GETTING TO KNOW

DANIEL PRESLEY It’s hard to sum up Daniel Presley’s background in a few words. So, we’ll start with the basics: He’s a VP of marketing with Bank of America, president of Carbondale’s Arbor District Neighborhood Association and member of Neighborhood Alliance. He also served as a Peace Corps volunteer, started a non-profit to help in Africa and has been involved in the Bucky Dome restoration project. This great-grandson of local legend Wayman Presley has raced in 24-hour mountain bike events and organized mountain bike race fundraisers in Brazil and Nicaragua. He’s a fan of the Burning Man festival, a snowboarder and martial artist. After working overseas and living in Southern California, he came back to Carbondale to spend time with his family. He enjoys being involved with his local community, something he says he missed when living in an area of 10 million people. Traveling is a playtime activity. He frequently visits SoCal (for the social aspects) and Charlotte, North Carolina, where his company is based, and he will travel to Mexico this month and India and Nepal in October. He says he loves and respects people of all cultures, and, as a vegetarian, all animals as well.

MARCEL PROUST was a French writer who believed that people must know and understand themselves before they can know or understand others. He developed a list of subjective questions he felt would help reveal to people their true selves. We fashioned our questions after his.

1. What is your current state of mind? Pessimistic optimism 2. What is your favorite avocation/ hobby? Renovating old boats and sailing 3. Which living person do you most admire? My mother and father, although they’re technically two people 4. What is your most treasured possession? My dog, although he thinks he owns me 5. When and where were you happiest? Here and now 6. What is your most obvious

Photo by BYRON HETZLER

characteristic? I’ve never met a stranger 7. What is the trait you most dislike in yourself? Over-committing my time 8. What is the trait you most dislike in others? Prejudice 9. What is your greatest extravagance? I’ve been known to smoke cigars from time to time 10. What is your favorite journey? All points south, preferably where the locals speak Spanish and a beach is involved

11. Which words or phrases do you over-use most? “I” 12. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d make more time for myself each day 13. What do you value most in your friends? Honesty and loyalty 14. If you were to die and come back as a person or animal, what do you think it would be? A spiritually enlighted Yogi Bear 15. What is your personal motto? Work hard, play hard Life & Style : Spring 2016

IN OUR BACKYARD

GOING NATIVE There are many good reasons to use native plants

BY CHANDA GREEN

Cardinal Flower

Life & Style : Spring 2016

If you have a little patch of ground to work with, you can make a big difference in your local ecology. Humans have a tendency to destroy natural habitat just by being human, but, with a little effort on your part, you could restore some portion of your property to its native condition, and, in the process, provide wildlife with the habitat they need to survive. Anyone can create a native plant landscape. You don’t have to start big; you can create a small native garden. Any effort on your part will help offset habitat loss by providing cover, food for animals, birds and insects, and nectar and host plants for hummingbirds, butterflies and caterpillars. Once established, your native landscape will also outcompete potentially

invasive, exotic plant species. If that doesn’t convince you, perhaps the simple beauty of a native Southern Illinois landscape can. Just visit one of Green Earth’s properties in Carbondale (see story in this issue on page 38) and get a taste of the showy flowers, abundant fruits and seeds, and brilliant foliage this region has to offer. It does, however, take a bit of planning to make a successful native garden. Perhaps you’re interested in attracting particular wildlife. If that’s the case, you’ll need to know their basic needs for food, water and cover. You should also determine what plants you already have and whether they’re native or exotic. One of your best resources at this point is the Illinois Native Plant Society and its Southern Chapter. Members include professionals and amateurs who share an

‘We recommend using a variety of native perennials so that your garden will have different textures, scents and flowers throughout the season.’ — ANN STAHLHEBER, CO-OWNER OF SOUTHERNWOOD NURSERY

interest in all aspects of the native flora. They meet regularly in Carbondale. “One thing people can do to help wildlife in general is to create minirefuges for them in their yards by planting native plant species,” said Chris Benda, president of the state board and the Southern Chapter board of the Native Plant Society. “Native plants are perfectly adapted to our area and provide the greatest benefit to wildlife. For example, oak trees are host plants for hundreds of species of caterpillars, whereas the invasive Callery Pear is host to none.” But before you go pick up your plants, you need to determine whether your garden spot is mostly sunny or shady. That, alone, will narrow your choices, and there are plenty of those. “Planting native grasses and plants is hands-down the best thing you can do for your environment,” said Jean Sellar, retired ecologist and member of the board of the Illinois Native Plant Society. “Those large root systems, particularly the grasses, help control erosion, improve the soil and restore the aquafers. But the beauty of the plants is reason enough to help them thrive.” Sellar recommends Prairie Drop Seed as one of the most beautiful with one of the best root systems. “It has long, slender leaves that swirl in the breeze and break up the rain,” she said. “And it smells like popcorn when it’s pollinating.” Now you shouldn’t plant Prairie Drop Seed in a moist area or Purple Cone Flowers in the shade. That’s why a successful garden also requires some expert advice. “Purple Cone Flowers are great for birds, especially gold finches, and for butterflies,” she said. “And it looks spectacular next to Orange Milkweed or Butterfly Weed. You know, Monarch caterpillars can only eat Milkweed.” Sellar recommends Swamp Milkweed if you have moist soil and a sunny area, along with native Blue Iris and Copper Iris. Native violets like light shade, but they’re so prolific in the spring that you can probably find some in your yard or your neighbor’s. “Any native fern is beautiful in a shady area,” she said. “Christmas fern is green all year, and Maidenhair Fern is

Copper Iris

FOR MORE INFO Southernwood Nursery has about 50 different varieties of native plants, all local seed, selling at Carbondale Farmer’s Market and by appointment at the nursery. Call 618-697-3798. For more information on the Illinois Native Plant Society, visit www.ill-inps.org or www.facebook.com/IllinoisPlants, or contact the Southern Chapter at southernillinoisplants@gmail.com.

Celandine Poppy

drop-dead gorgeous.” If you want more hummingbirds, plant Cardinal Flower, “one of the most beautiful flowers in North America,” according to Sellar. If you want more Monarch butterflies, plant Variegated or Purple Milkweed in a shady area. “Spicebush has a spicy scent and yellow flowers in the early spring,” she said. “The Swallowtail and Monarch butterflies like it.” Smooth Aster is another native plant that thrives in sunny areas. But get yours from a native plant grower because aster plants from garden center nurseries are cultivars, which are only distant relatives of the original native species. That’s because, over time, they have been bred for certain characteristics. “Native plant growers, such as Southernwood, grow the true native species,” Sellar said.

So, once you know what you want, visit Southernwood Nursery in Alto Pass, which has been selling native plants since 1976. “We recommend using a variety of native perennials so that your garden will have different textures, scents and flowers throughout the season,” said Ann Stahlheber, co-owner of Southernwood Nursery with her husband, Eric. “Use native grasses for borders.” She said that other considerations include the size of the plants in relation to the area you’re planting and the state of your soil. “You’ll need rich soil for shade plants,” Stahlheber said. “But you only need good topsoil if it’s a sunny area. “If you’re interested in adding just a few plants, use plants, not seeds, or you’ll have to wait two to four years to get noticeable results,” she said. “If you’re interested in planting a large area like a prairie, use seeds to be cost-effective.” Stahlheber has lots of good advice for the native plant gardener. “You can deadhead native plants, but leave them on and the birds will come looking for the seeds,” she said. “Butterflies and bees will be visiting your yard, too. And when the seeds drop, seedlings will come up.” Life & Style : Spring 2016

PROFILE

Photo by RICHARD SITLER

Kathie Fralisch is one of the founding members of Green Earth.

Earth Photo provided by NATHAN SPEAGLE

Green Earth, Inc., a land conservation organization based in Carbondale, announced that it has completed installation of interpretive trail signs at its Pyles Fork Preserve, adjacent to Attucks Park.

Life & Style : Spring 2016

Created by way of a simple but profound desire to protect natural areas for Carbondaleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future

‘It’s that feeling you get when you’re outdoors; that’s what I want to leave to the next generation, the opportunity to have that feeling.’ — KATHIE FRALISCH, FOUNDING MEMBER OF GREEN EARTH

THE SOUTHERN FILE PHOTO

Nathaniel Huang, of Carbondale looks through the different shaped leaves to make an animal out of in June 2014 during Green Earth’s First Annual Community Play Day at one of the Green Earth Oakland Nature Preserve in Carbondale.

BY CHANDA GREEN Green Earth was established in 1974 for the purpose of acquiring, preserving and providing public access to natural areas in Carbondale. That sounds simple, and, perhaps it should have been, but those early efforts were not easy. The group had to weather strong criticism from political leaders, media and the public. The idea of Green Earth came out of discussions between former city council member Clark Vineyard and Herbie Beyler, an instructor in Plant and Soil Science at Southern Illinois University and an activist in her own right. She called some people of like mind and the

group was born. “I knew Herbie; she was passionate about natural spaces,” said Kathie Fralish, one of Green Earth’s founding members. “She was always a strong supporter and adviser. Our members were all very distinguished and respected citizens who had a great deal of difficulty reading that original series of negative newspaper stories.” The newly formed organization was funded by a $102,000 grant from the City of Carbondale. Fralish remembers driving to Springfield to walk the papers of incorporation through the required channels for signatures. “Like a lot of new organizations, we had

a lot of wouldn’t-it-be-nice conversations. Those ideas got some energy and became coordinated efforts,” Fralish said. “We had this money and responsibility, but people started coming to the board, trying to sell property that wasn’t what we wanted at inflated prices. We were trying to spend the money wisely, all the while being criticized for not moving quickly enough.” Fralish served with six other new members of the newly formed board of directors: President George Karnes, Jerry Coorts, Paul Biggers, Allan Bennett, Hiram Lezar and Daniel Sherrick. They represented a cross-section of the Carbondale community. Karnes was Life & Style : Spring 2016

PROFILE

Life & Style : Spring 2016

Oakland Nature Preserve

Giant City Road

Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve

Main

Grand

Lewis

Walnut Freeman

Wall

Emerald

Chautauqua Road

Pyles Fork Preserve

51 Oakland

Flagland

Sunset

McLafferty Road

Union Hill

a dentist, Coorts was a department chair at SIU, Biggers was an engineer with the Illinois Department of Transportation, Bennett was a doctor, Lezar was interim president of SIU, Sherrick was a bank president, and Fralish was a speech pathologist. “None of us had an outdoor education background,” Fralish said. “And once we had acquired property, that’s what we needed, someone who had passion and vision. We were lucky to find Judy Faulkner, our first director. She was the perfect person.” By 1980, public attitude had changes, criticism had ended and the newspaper articles were decidedly positive. “By the time I left in 1983, we had Green Earth I, our first property, and were making great progress,” Fralish said. “My life, by then, included two children and my own business, the Center for Comprehensive Services (now NeuroRestorative), so I left things in what I knew were capable hands, people who were just as committed and passionate. I’m still a member and supporter. I keep up with what they’re doing.” Today, Green Earth owns and maintains more than 220 acres. Each of its six sites is open to the public for hiking during daylight hours. Hiking trails are located within each preserve; most are roughly one mile long and are rated easy or moderate in difficulty. Brush Hill Nature Preserve is Green Earth’s oldest preserve, purchased in 1976. The site is 20 acres in east Carbondale and includes the Herbie Beyler Trail. Oakland Nature Preserve, purchased in 1979, is in northwest Carbondale, 20 acres with two trails. Chautauqua Bottoms Nature Preserve, acquired through several purchases from 1990 to 2004, is 37 acres with three trails that connect to SIUC and the Carbondale Park District’s property. Fernlands Nature Preserve – created from donated land – is the most remote in south Carbondale. The woodland is 20 acres and includes one trail. Flaglands Demonstration Prairie – also created from donated land – is the smallest, one acre in a residential setting. And finally, Pyles Fork Preserve is the newest and largest. It was conveyed to Green Earth in 2009 by the American Lands Conservancy. This 124-acre hardwood bottomland is in northeast Carbondale and includes the Pyles Fork Creek and one trail through upland and lowland woods. “I really respected the other Green Earth board members,” Kathie said. “They stuck their necks out and were willing to do what it took to see Green Earth succeed in its goal to establish green spaces that people – especially the children – can enjoy without having to go

Pa r

SIUC

Brush Hill Nature Preserve

Pleasant Hill Road

Fernlands Nature Preserve

William Marberry Arboretum

Each Green Earth nature preserves is above in green.

MORE INFO For more information on Green Earth properties or to make a donation, call 618-201-3774, send an email to director@greenearthinc.org or visit greenearthinc.org.

VISIT Green Earth owns and manages a variety of lands in and around Carbondale that are used as open spaces, recreation, education and solitude as well as for management and restoration of natural plant communities. These areas are open and free to anyone or group.

miles and miles. I grew up in Cincinnati, so I know what it’s like not to have any access to green space.” “The more we expose our kids to the environment, the more they will come to value it and the more they will enjoy it,” she said. “It’s that feeling you get when you’re outdoors; that’s what I want to leave to the next generation, the opportunity to have that feeling. That’s why I’m very proud of Green Earth and all they have accomplished. I’m very proud to have been there, at the beginning.” Green Earth is governed by 13 volunteer board members who meet monthly and run by its executive director, currently Stephanie Eichholz, the only paid employee. “I feel very lucky to be a part of Green Earth. I strongly believe in the instinctive bond many people feel for nature and wild places,” said Stephanie. “My goal in working for Green Earth is to improve the quality of life for people in our

community by providing access to these areas, particularly our children.” Green Earth volunteers work tirelessly to maintain the natural character of the properties while enabling them to be used for everything from hiking and nature photography to scientific research and outdoor education. “The community can support Green Earth by getting out on our trails and simply enjoying the absolute beauty of nature.” If your time in nature inspires you to do more, why not adopt a trail? Donate your time, expertise, money or land. Even picking up litter and participating on workdays – announced in the quarterly newsletter – would be a huge help to Green Earth and Mother Earth. “And of course, as a non-profit, we depend heavily on financial support from the community to manage our nature preserves and trail systems, Stephanie said. “Monetary donations in any amount are very much appreciated.”

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

SCENIC BEAUTY

Ferne Clyffe Begs to be seen anew with each passing season

The park road on a snowy winter day.

Life & Style : Spring 2016

ABOVE: Small waterfalls can be found in the park after spring rains. TOP: Ferne Clyffe’s diverse plant life includes a variety of fungi.

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY LES WINKELER Ferne Clyffe State Park contains no signature landmark, such as Giant City’s famous “streets” or the massive cave from which Cave-in-Rock derives its name. There isn’t a large lake that attracts anglers from around the region, such as Lake Murphysboro State Park or Saline County State Fish and Wildlife Area. And, Ferne Clyffe doesn’t attract thousands of migrating geese and ducks like Pyramid State Park. But, the 2,400-acre state park nestled into the hills of Johnson County has its own unique personality — a personality that begs to be seen anew with each passing season. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources website describes the park succinctly. “An abundance of ferns, unique geological features and unusual plant communities create an atmosphere that enhances the many recreational facilities offered at the park. Trails wind through picturesque woods, allowing visitors to

The other major waterfall on public property is at Ferne Clyffe State Park, located on Illinois 37 just south of Goreville. The falls, known simply as Ferne Clyffe Waterfall, is at the end of Big Rocky Hollow Trail.

view fascinating rock formations and inspiring vistas,” according to the website. Perhaps the most surprising thing about this diverse state park is the rugged terrain. The park is located in the rolling hills just south of Goreville, but, the surrounding countryside only hints at the imposing rock formations found within the park. Breathtaking vistas are only a short hike away on Blackjack Oak Trail or Big Rocky Hollow Trail. Hawk’s Cave, a 150-foot-long shelter bluff, is located on the trail of the

same name. And, an intermittent 100-foot waterfall is the payoff at the end of Big Rocky Hollow Trail. It is the diversity of the park that draws visitors back to see the changes of the seasons, whether it is the lush greens ushered in by spring and nurtured by summer, the earthy reds, browns and yellows of fall, or the snow-covered splendor of winter. While the dogwood and redbud provide color in spring, the falling leaves of autumn reveal vistas that are unsurpassed in Southern Illinois. Life & Style : Spring 2016

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

ou may think that having a beautiful yard requires hours of work each day, but all you really need is a plan to work consistently throughout the year, focusing on specific tasks each month. We talked to Bryan Hallegren of Greenridge Landscaping in Carbondale, Trent Mohlenbrock of Changing Seasons in Marion, Margie Margie Rehagen at Plantscape Nursery in Herrin, and Mike Sturgill at Outdoor Turf Professionals in Carterville. Here are some of their recommendations.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

 A dry winter day is a good time to mow the lawn and remove fallen leaves and pine needles.

 Except for maples, birches, willows and yellowwood, now is a good time to prune trees. Re-shape evergreen shrubs and shade trees, as needed, during the winter dormant period.

 Inspect your yard for winter weeds and pull or spray.  Plant hardy evergreens, shrubs, and fruit and shade trees.  Remove unattractive plants and replace.  Transplant established trees and shrubs while they are dormant, and as long as the ground isn’t frozen or too wet.  Prune with a purpose. Do not “top” any trees or shrubs. Never leave stubs. Cut flush against remaining branches on shrubs and along the branch collar on trees.  Clean, sharpen and repair all your garden and lawn tools.  Clean and have your power mower, edger and trimmer serviced.  Continue to mulch leaves from the lawn and remove debris from turf areas to reduce disease and insect problems. Pre-emergent herbicides are applied with the year’s first mulching, and must be reapplied for effective year-round control.

 Plant any bare-root plants including fruit and nut trees as well as roses.

Life & Style : Spring 2016

COVER APRIL Reseed the damaged or bare areas of the lawn. Mow established cool-season turf grasses weekly or as needed; raise mower height to three to four inches. Apply a post-emergent fertilizer to the grass to target any weeds that have popped up such as dandelions and chick weed. If you’re applying a granular fertilizer, the lawn needs to be wet, such as early in the morning when the dew is still on the grass. Replace or refresh mulch around plants. Prune spring blooming shrubs and vines after they finish flowering. Allow foliage on spring bulbs to die back and dry before removing, so it can store food for next year. Plant ground covers and warmseason annuals and perennials as soil temperatures warm and the danger of frost has passed.

MARCH Rake the lawn, even if there are no leaves; it cleans the top layer of your lawn, allowing healthy green grass to make its way to the surface. Trim or mow grassy groundcovers such as liriope and mondo grass before spring growth begins.

Check roses, ornamentals and vegetables for powdery mildew, prevalent in mild, moist spring weather. Check new growth on ornamental plants weekly for aphids and scale insects and treat, if necessary.

Prune overgrown ground cover such as English ivy.

Water all your plants when they’re dry, but be particularly diligent with new plantings that can quickly dry out in our persistent spring winds.

Cut back ornamental grasses before new growth appears.

Start up and test your lawn sprinkler system.

Remove winter-damage from shrubs and other ornamentals. Apply pre-emergent fertilizer to coolseason turf grasses. Apply pre-emergent herbicides to your lawn at the same time to control warm season broadleaf and grassy weeds, such as dandelions and crabgrass. Fertilize established shade trees, ornamental trees and shrubs as spring growth begins. Continue to plant evergreen shrubs, fruit, nut and shade trees. Prune all standard roses, except climbing varieties, to 12” above the ground. Do not prune spring flowering shrubs and vines such as forsythia, quince, azaleas and spirea until after blooming. Check new growth on ornamental plants weekly for aphids and scale insects and treat if necessary.

MAY Change the direction or pattern each time you mow your lawn. Different mowing patterns reduce soil compaction and turf wear from mower wheels. Start fertilizing your turf grasses. Mulch planting beds to conserve moisture, deter weeds and keep soil cool. Once plants have leafed out, make a final pruning to remove winter damage. Always cut the limb or shoot back to live wood. If the damage to the plant is severe, you might consider replacing it. Prune spring blooming shrubs such as forsythia and lilac after they finish flowering. Prune climbing roses after their blooms fade. Snip off dried foliage of early spring bulbs, such as daffodils, and the faded flower stalks of irises. Check roses, ornamentals and vegetables for aphids and powdery mildew. Check roses for black spot and apply fungicide as necessary according to label directions. Watch for bagworms on junipers and other conifers, treat as required. Plant your summer annuals, such as petunias, marigolds, salvia and impatiens. Plant ground covers and hot weather annuals such as caladiums, elephant ears, periwinkles, portulaca, salvia, zinnias and coleus.

Life & Style : Spring 2016

JUNE

JULY

Put down an organic fertilizer.

Spot spray any weeds, mow and water the lawn as needed; continue through the summer.

Apply extra pine straw or shredded bark mulch around newly planted trees and shrubs. The extra mulch will reduce water loss and heat stress to the new roots.

Pay attention to the water needs of lawns, ornamental plants and vegetables, and especially new plants with undeveloped root systems and to outdoor potted plants, which can dry out quickly. Water in the early morning hours to minimize evaporation.

Prune out any dead or broken branches of trees and shrubs but avoid major pruning during summer heat. Cut back spent flowers of annuals and perennials to encourage new blooms. Pay attention to hanging baskets and containers, because they dry out more quickly with the warmer temperatures. Irrigate plants at dawn and dusk to reduce water loss from evaporation. Watch for the water needs of new lawns, trees, ornamentals and new plantings as hot dry weather sets in. Plant perennials such as coreopsis, salvia, yarrow, coneflowers, peonies, bee balm, ferns, hosta and many others.

Prune dead or broken branches of trees and shrubs; avoid major pruning during the heat of summer. Continue to check ornamentals, flowers, and vegetables for aphids and spider mites. Inspect broadleaf evergreen shrubs for scale insects, and treat as necessary. Watch for lace bugs on azaleas, pyracantha and lantana. Fertilize hanging baskets and other container plants regularly. To reduce mosquito pests, check house gutters and any containers for standing water.

Check ornamentals, flowers, and vegetables for spider mites, prevalent in warm months. Watch for bagworms on junipers, arborvitae and other conifers, and treat as needed. Watch for webworms on trees and treat as necessary. Apply fungicide to control black spots and mildew on roses.

AUGUST If your grass is dry, do not mow until you have watered or until it rains. Prune dead or broken branches of trees and shrubs but avoid major pruning until the dormant season. Watch susceptible ornamental plants for iron deficiency (yellowed leaves with darker green veins), aggravated by the hot dry weather, and treat with chelated iron if needed. Drench plants and avoid contact with hard surfaces that will stain. Plant fall flowering perennials such as asters and chrysanthemums.

Life & Style : Spring 2016

COVER OCTOBER Fertilize established fescue lawns with a winterizer for better growth in the spring. Mulch or gather leaves regularly as they drop, as a thick leaf layer on lawns can promote insects and diseases and delay winter dormancy. Continue to mow the lawn, as needed. Mow one last time before the first freeze. Grass is much more likely to develop turf diseases if it goes into dormancy at a taller height. Late October is an excellent time for planting shrubs and hardy trees, or transplanting large woody shrubs or ornamental trees. Tidy the garden by removing spent summer annuals, pruning dead bloom spikes off perennials, and re-shaping overgrown perennials later in the season. Plant cool-weather annuals like pansies. Add an organic fertilizer such as bone and blood meal, organic matter such as compost, and work it into the bed before planting. Plant daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and crocus and other spring flowering bulbs from late October until the ground freezes.

SEPTEMBER Plant fescue grass or over-seed established fescue lawns, if needed. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide for broadleaf winter weeds by the end of the month and water normally. Do not use a pre-emergent if you plan to over-seed your cool-season cool grass Aerate your yard to prepare your lawn for the new grass that will emerge in the fall as the temperatures begin to rise and your lawn sees more sunlight. Aerators pull plugs out of your soil, loosening compacted dirt and allowing air and water to reach roots. Begin planting trees and shrubs. Planting in autumn allows them time to grow roots. Avoid pruning spring-flowering trees and shrubs during the fall, as pruning now will reduce spring flowers. Trim dead or damaged wood from trees and shrubs but avoid drastic pruning. Control black spot and powdery mildew on roses with labeled fungicide. Watch for fall webworms on pecans, crabapples and other susceptible trees and trim out webs as necessary or treat with appropriate products. Sow wildflower seeds and press into soil surface to improve germination. Divide and re-plant spring blooming perennials such as Iris, yarrow and daylilies. Adjust your watering schedule for lawns, shrubs, flowers and containers. Pay close attention to containers, as they tend to become waterlogged.

50 Life & Style : Spring 2016

Home Décor & Florist

NOVEMBER As the autumn leaves pile up on your lawn, you can put away the rake and blower. Running your mower over the leaves without the grass catcher grinds that clutter into a fine layer of mulch that will be naturally composted into the soil, providing rich nutrients for your grass. If there’s a dense canopy of trees, those leaves need to be raked or blown out so you don’t over-mulch. Fertilize tall fescue and other cool-season lawns. Fertilize new fescue and ryegrass lawns at half the rate recommended. Apply bone and blood meal to pansies and other winter color plants to promote strong growth. Apply an anti-transpirant such as Wilt Pruf to broadleaf evergreens such as southern magnolias, holly, azaleas and rhododendrons to keep them from getting winter burn, when the leaves turn brown from too much moisture loss.

Water evergreens and new plants thoroughly before a hard freeze to reduce plants’ chances of damage. Remove and drain garden hoses from outlets and cover faucets to prevent freeze damage. Continue to plant shade trees, ornamental trees and shrubs. Relocate established trees and shrubs after they enter dormancy. Plant trees and shrubs that are balled and burlapped.

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Provide food and water to the area’s wintering birds. Enjoy the holiday season and let your lawn take a breather. Come spring, you will be the envy of your neighbors as your healthy, well-cared-for lawn and garden get a jump start on the growing season.

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

PEOPLE

welcome to the

S â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; he Shackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; A place for peace, prayer and remembering the past

Life & Style : Spring 2016

BY JOE SZYNKOWSKI When Debra Queen gazes westward from the second story of her feminized version of a man cave, she can’t help but find inner peace and a connection with her Christian faith. Her husband worked long and hard on converting the corn crib into the “she shack.” And it truly is fit for a queen. One of the interior walls of the shack is made from 100-year-old weathered barn wood. Trim boards on other walls are just as old, but look updated and modern in the old corner of the long-standing barn. The idea for the shack came about from the spiritual gospel movie, “War Room.” “Sitting up here with this wonderful view, it just puts me in a calm, faithful state of mind,” said Debra, sitting Indian style and peering out of the four-foot-wide, old French door that her husband, Jack, turned into a horizontal window. “I spend a lot of time up here just praying and thinking.” A dietitian for Southern Illinois Healthcare, Debra married Jack on July 15, 2015. The couple met in Oklahoma, and Debra moved to Jack’s grandparents’ old farm between Du Quoin and Pinckneyville to start their life together. Their wedding date was exactly 100 years after Jack’s grandparents were married. The shack made for the perfect setting. “Oh, yes, we had a band, lots of friends and a fish fry,” Jack said. “The whole day was a blessing from God. It was an amazing day with amazing people, most notably Debra.” Jack’s esteem for his wife is apparent — if not through hearing him speak of her, then definitely through his crafty work on the shack. He spent loads of his spare time, in between his full-time job working on energy projects in Oklahoma, laboring on the shack and keeping it a secret to boot. “I had a lot of help on the project, but it was definitely a labor of love,” Jack said. “One day, there was a new floor of rough oak. The next, we finished the 6-by-10-foot deck; the next, we completed the awning. It all just kind of came together.” Most of the wood that went into the shack was scrap that Jack found inside the barn. Even the decorations throughout the shack, including a picture of Jack’s grandparents and the rack from Debra’s first successful deer hunt, hold memories and stories that make the shack that much more special. The Queens have more plans for the shack that include expansion and even a women’s society that can be hosted within its walls. The most recently added item is an old wagon wheel with four kerosene lanterns affixed to it, hanging from the rafters to give the shack some glow. “This shack means a lot to me because of the history inside,” Debra said. “I don’t know about you, but I can feel the history when I walk around it. There is nothing like it around here, and I’m ready to share it with others.”

Photos by BYRON HETZLER

TOP: Debra Queen shows photos of her and her husband Jack’s wedding on the wall of the She Shack. ABOVE: The She Shack is complete with floors of rough oak. LEFT: Debra and Jack, converted a corn crib into the ‘she shack.’ FAR LEFT: Debra gazes westward from the second story of her feminized version of a man cave. She can’t help but find inner peace and a connection with her Christian faith. Life & Style : Spring 2016

CHEERS TO BEER

Photos by RICHARD SITLER

Abbey Ridge Brewery & Tap Room offers a range of beer brewed on location in Pomona. The beer names are indicative of the brewery’s unique charm: Joust, a Belgian-inspired pale ale; Mad King, a Belgian dark ale; and Dark Knight, a black-as-night Oatmeal Stout worthy of heraldry.

Classic European brews Abbey Ridge Brewery & Tab Room keeps connection to medieval origins of making ale BY SHAWN CONNELLY

Abbey Ridge Brewery & Tap Room offers a range of beer brewed on location in Pomona. 54

Life & Style : Spring 2016

During the Middle Ages, ale was ubiquitous. Because it was less expensive to produce than wine and offered the safest alternative to often-contaminated water sources, women known as alewives or brewsters kept busy making ale — consumed daily as a staple food source — for their families and communities. Fast forward a good 650+ years, and the practice of brewing ale for friends, family and community is alive and well for Terri Addison and her business partners, Phil and Cindy Royster, at Abbey Ridge Brewery & Tap Room in Pomona.

The fact that two of the three owners of Abbey Ridge are women isn’t the only commonality with historical beer-brewing practice. Visit the brewery, and you’ll find a décor and beer menu that harkens back to medieval European tradition and flair. This is no accident. “I’ve always been drawn to the medieval era, and I have a theatre and performing arts background as well, so all of these elements are our inspiration,” Addison said. Abbey Ridge offers nine beers produced in its small 1½ BBL brewhouse with more, such as a traditional British ESB, rotating occasionally. The beer

names are indicative of the brewery’s unique charm: Joust, a Belgian-inspired pale ale; Mad King, a Belgian dark ale; and Dark Knight, a black-as-night Oatmeal Stout worthy of heraldry. One of the characteristics that distinguishes Abbey Ridge from many small, American craft breweries is that you won’t find typical beer styles like big, citrusy IPAs or American Wheat beers in their brewing rotation. “We like to stick with more classic European styles you don’t find just anywhere,” Addison said. Don’t let the adherence to classic European brewing styles fool you, however. If you’re lucky enough to get there before it’s gone, Abbey Ridge also offers its own delicious take on hard root beer called Brother Tom’s, an 11 percent + ABV brew made with vanilla, licorice and sarsaparilla, which has already gained a sizable local following. If beer were the only draw to Abbey Ridge, which is situated just off of Illinois 127 in the heart of Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, it would be worth your quest; but, the brewery also boasts an impressive menu for both lunch and dinner to accompany your adult libations. From appetizers, such as house-made Chicharróns (pork rinds), beer-battered cheese curds and possibly the largest soft pretzel outside Bavaria, to entrees, such as the Abbey burger, fish and chips, or lobster ravioli in vodka sauce, you won’t lack for sustenance to fuel your revelry. And what is good ale and good food without good music? Abbey Ridge doesn’t disappoint in this regard either, offering live music on Friday nights and an outdoor music venue seasonally. Additional events, such as a Renaissance Festival, are planned for the spring. Addison began developing her idea for what would become Abbey Ridge in 2007, but even she didn’t realize what her passion would become nearly 10 years later. Having lived in nearby Alto Pass since the inception of Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, it became apparent that there was something missing. “There were no breweries on the wine trail,” Addison exclaimed. “We wanted to offer something unique and introduce people to the history and diversity of beer brewing that goes right along with the wine culture in Southern Illinois.” Addison explained that this was obviously the right idea because guests frequently tell her how happy they are that there’s “finally beer available on the wine trail!” Abbey Ridge is a family–friendly destination that is worth a stop, even if beer or wine isn’t necessarily the treasure you seek. The surroundings of Shawnee National Forest, food, music and ambiance are all reminiscent of old-world gathering places, where family, friends and the entire

WHAT’S IN A NAME? The beer names are indicative of the brewery’s unique charm: Joust, a Belgian-inspired pale ale; Mad King, a Belgian dark ale; and Dark Knight, a black-as-night Oatmeal Stout worthy of heraldry.

MORE INFO Abbey Ridge Brewery & Tap Room 24 Brewster Valley, Pomona (Illinois 127 and Boat Dock Road) Hours: Noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday; noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday 618-893-1111 www.abbeyridgebrew.com

community met to share their time and tales with each other. That makes the trip to Abbey Ridge worth the journey. And, like the medieval alewife knew centuries ago, beer and all the trappings of this festive drink is reason enough to embark on your own quest for glory — or at least a good ale on the wine trail! SHAWN CONNELLY is the Craft Beer, Wine & Spirits division manager for Venegoni Distributing; a certified beer judge with BJCP; and a professional freelance beer writer. He can be reached at thebeerphilosopher@yahoo.com.

ABOVE: Posing with a suit of armor that guards the doorway at Abbey Ridge Brewery & Tap Room are co-owners (from left) Cindy and Phil Royster and Terri Addison. TOP: Abbey Ridge features an old-world European atmosphere and philosophy. Events, such as a Renaissance Festival, are planned for the spring.

Life & Style : Spring 2016

MEET THE ARTIST

Dave Dardis

Photos by BYRON HETZLER

Sculptor Dave Dardis in his backyard garden in Makanda.

Metal artist creates monument and plans for solar eclipse in 2017 BY CHANDA GREEN Dave Dardis is the quintessential artist, a man who chose his art in tandem with his lifestyle way back when, and has been the way he is since anyone around here has known him. Dave is funny and friendly, always in jeans and a simple shirt or two with his hair flying wildly about his head. He is completely involved in whatever he is doing at the moment, whether that’s talking to a gaggle of his neighbors or taking a walk with some of the community dogs or fashioning the fantastic out of metal. He has lived in and worked out of the same building — on the end of the Makanda Boardwalk, one of Southern Illinois’s premiere artist colonies — for more than four decades. You can tell that as soon as you open the door to his shop,

Rainmaker Art Studio. Squint a little, and you’ll begin to see the artwork through the dust and cigarette haze, among the clutter of supplies and tools of the trade. He works almost exclusively with metal, creating intricate pendants, rings and tiaras — “Yes, every woman needs a tiara,” Dave said — out of bronze and copper bent into fantastic patterns. His studio is arranged in long isles of works in progress, from those trays of jewelry to giant metal bugs in various states of assembly to elaborate metal sculptures, some of which have been made into fountains. Dave learned his craft from a metalsmith he met traveling across the country as a leatherworker, an earlier artistic incarnation. That man taught Dave the art he has practiced for more than 40 years, and Dave has taught apprentices the same way. “By allowing me to watch, just watch, is how I learned,” Dave said. “I taught my apprentices the same way: less energy in teaching.” He works mainly with copper in its various forms, producing pieces in natural shapes, predominantly the human form and various plants and animals. He accepts commissioned work — a large metal statue, on its way to becoming a fountain, took up a portion of the northeast corner of his studio — and sells many of his pieces at local fairs and out of his Makanda studio.

INTO THE GARDEN

The monument that resembles a ship’s mast was erected to commemorate the upcoming total solar eclipses that will pass directly over Makanda and Dardis’ property — the eclipse path is noted by the orange line Dardis painted.

‘I have friends who drop by with things for the garden, and we add them as we go along. So the garden is always changing.’ — DAVE DARDIS

But when he needs a break from his metalwork, Dave works in his garden. It’s just outside the back door to his studio, and it’s a wonderfully fantastic place with surprises around every corner and, usually, a friendly dog or two to keep you company. “I started the garden for myself, and it took on a life of its own,” Dave said. “People just started coming and kept coming, so the garden kept growing. I have friends who drop by with things for the garden, and we add them as we go along. So, the garden is always changing.” As you step through the door, the world opens up to reveal a brickwork patio and a pond nestled in the shadow of an ivy-covered wall. One of Dave’s fish sculpture fountains keeps the water circulated. Go up one of several narrow winding stairways and you’ll find a world of interesting structures, statues, an old wood-burning stove, animal skulls, several of Dave’s giant metal sculptures and fountains, old streetlights, bridges that cross a running stream, a maze created with lattice work panels and plants, a tower for a bird’s-eye view, and plenty of birdbaths and benches for feathered and non-feathered friends. “There’s an old, collapsed stone bridge,” Dave said. “At 30 feet tall, it Life & Style : Spring 2016

MEET THE ARTIST looks like an old Roman ruin. And Willow Bob has a living chair in the backyard. It’s still growing after 10 years, and you can sit in it.” You might call it a secret garden, but it’s not much of a secret. There’s almost always someone back there, enjoying what the garden has to offer, whether that be whimsy or peace. “No, it’s not a secret,” Dave said. “We get people who come in and spend the day here,” he said. “We don’t charge anything, and we have free concerts here, so anybody is welcome to come. Everything in the garden was either salvaged or donated or created. This is what I do when I need a break from work, for fun.”

SOLAR ECLIPSE INSTALLATION

The latest addition to Dave’s garden was installed to memorialize an event that won’t happen until Aug. 21, 2017, the next total solar eclipse, the one that scientists have determined will be best viewed along a line that runs right through Southern Illinois, specifically through Rainmaker Art Studio in Makanda. Dave has painted that line, the center line of totality of the eclipse, from the boardwalk, through his studio and out to his garden. And just inside Dave’s garden, on the red line, is his eclipse marker, what looks like the mast of a ship, coming right out of the sidewalk, complete with a crow’s nest, a pirate’s flag, one of Dave’s giant praying mantises and a commemorative plaque. He made the monument last winter and has since been busy working on commissioned works and some solar eclipse jewelry, along with a few giant insects. But he hasn’t forgotten the upcoming celestial event. He’s planning on “pirating” the local festival during the first weekend in May and holding it in his garden in honor of the celestial event (and as a good excuse for some live music and beverages). “Everybody come!” Dave exclaimed. “There is always an event on the first weekend of May, and Vulture Fest is always the third weekend in October.” Just make sure you make it to Dave’s garden on Aug. 21, 2017, because that is sure to be one heck of a party.

TOP LEFT: Just a few of the many features of the backyard garden behind Dave Dardis’ Rainmaker Studio. BOTTOM LEFT: Dave Dardis’ backyard garden is an eclectic mix of features built by Dardis and donated items.

Life & Style : Spring 2016

A piece Dardis is working on to commemorate the upcoming solar eclipses that will pass over Makanda in 2017 and 2024.

ECLIPSE The latest addition to Dave’s garden was installed to memorialize an event that won’t happen until Aug. 21, 2017, the next total solar eclipse, the one that scientists have determined will be best viewed along a line that runs right through Southern Illinois, specifically through Rainmaker Art Studio in Makanda.

MORE INFO For a little more information and a lot of gorgeous photos, visit davedardismakanda.com or Rainmaker Art Studio at 530 Makanda Road, the store at the end of the Boardwalk.

It’s hard to say what you might find inside of Dave Dardis’ Rainmaker Studio in Makanda.

Life & Style : Spring 2016

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

HOW TO

THE WRIGHT-WAY

TO ADOPT

Life & Style : Spring 2016

Photo by BYRON HETZLER

Kyle Baker of Wright-Way Rescue in Carbondale carries two new arrivals to the shelter.

What you should consider before selecting a pet BY CHANDA GREEN So, you’ve decided you want a pet, and you’re wondering where you should go. Should you buy one from a breeder or a pet store, or perhaps adopt from your local shelter. Please consider the latter. The folks at Wright-Way Rescue in Murphysboro agree.

Wright-Way Rescue was started in 2003 by Christy Anderson at Southern Illinois University. She saved dogs from euthanasia, housed them one at a time in her dorm room, and placed them in homes near Chicago. More than 10 years later, Wright-Way finds more forever homes for pets than any other no-kill rescue in Southern Illinois, about 4,500 every year. Kyle Baker, community outreach and development director at Wright-Way, has a lot of good advice for would-be pet parents. For some families, Kyle said, adopting an adult pet might be preferable over

PRICEY PETS According to American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, the average annual cost for veterinary bills is between $516 and $785 per pet.

adopting a kitten or puppy because their new pet will already be house-trained — particularly relevant for those looking for a dog — and most are already trained to walk on a leash and not chew. “If you adopt a puppy, be prepared to take them outside every hour, even in the middle of the night, and you will have to Life & Style : Spring 2016

HOW TO

Photo by BYRON HETZLER

Kirstyn Baker examines a new arrival at the Wright-Way Rescue in Carbondale.

clean up messes anyway,” Kyle said. “Adult pets also tend to be calmer. Either way, spending some time with your pet before adoption will give you a better idea about the animal’s personality.” Kyle recommended using a microchip and metal ID tag to make sure you can get your pet back should he or she stray. “Wright-Way will automatically register your pet’s microchip in accordance with the information you provide on your adoption agreement, but you should also use a metal ID tag that can be easily read without a scanner,” he said. “We also offer Good Start classes designed to address all of the questions that come up with a new pet. “We provide an adoption handbook that has all of this information inside with lots of tips and great information to get your relationship off to a good start,” he added. “We take very good care of our babies here,” said Peggy Nott, medical services manager, as she took the temperature of a Border collie mix puppy. “While it’s true that our rescued 64

Life & Style : Spring 2016

REGIONAL SHELTERS Perry County Humane Society 8365 Illinois 14, Du Quoin 618- 542-3647 PAWS 139 E Vienna St., Anna 618-833-3647 pawspaws@shawneelink.net Wright-Way Admissions & Care Center 8459 Old Illinois 13, Murphysboro 618-208-1509 wright-wayrescue.org Project Hope Humane Society 1698 W. 10th St, Metropolis 618-524-8939 projecthope@hcis.net Randolph County Humane Society 414 W. Belmont St., Sparta 618-443-3363 randolphcountyhumanesociety2 @yahoo.com

St. Francis CARE Animal Shelter 6228 Country Club Road, Murphysboro 618-614-4877 or 618-893-1600 st.franciscare@yahoo.com Humane Society of Southern Illinois 95 Humane Road, Murphysboro 618-457-2362 www.humanesocietysil.org Cache Creek Animal Rescue Animal Shelter 1235 Spanish Bluff, Anna 618-893-2500 Union County Animal Shelter 385 Kaolin Road, Cobden 618-833-4915 ucac2011@yahoo.com Marion Regional Humane Society 2410 Dylan Drive, Marion 618-964-9999 marionrhs@yahoo.com

animals, and animals at most breeders and retail outlets, are exposed to more diseases, we give our babies thorough medical attention,” she said. “For the average person, shelter animals are great,” Kyle said. “You’ll get a happy and healthy pet that has had a significant amount of attention.” Wright-Way had about 125 animals in December, but, every spring, the center’s population swells with kittens and puppies rescued from situations that could have been prevented if pet owners had simply spayed or neutered their animals. “We always have adoptable pets here at Wright-Way,” Kyle said. “Just call first and make an appointment, and we’ll be happy to find your special animal.”

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Benton - 618-435-3069 Mt. Vernon - 618-242-0900 Carbondale - 618-549-2211 1300 N Illinois Ave. Carbondale, IL 62901 We Deliver Life & Style : Spring 2016

GETAWAYS

Life & Style : Spring 2016

TIMBER RIDGE OUTPOST & CABINS Life & Style : Spring 2016

GETAWAYS

Life & Style : Spring 2016

ABOVE: The interior of Twin Oaks cabin at Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins in Karbers Ridge. LEFT: The White Oak treehouse at Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins.

A truly magical place with treehouses for any kind of getaway STORY BY CHANDA GREEN PHOTOS BY BYRON HETZLER

t took a long time to write this story. It was such a personal trip, my anniversary adventure with my husband of 12 years. We had planned it well in advance to have something to look forward to at the end of a difficult year. There were many reasons for our difficulties, the chief one being the loss of David’s mother. She was a wonderful friend to me, and both of us hated watching her get smaller and smaller until she just, left. That was in March, and the rest of the year just added more burdens to the struggle, too many and too personal to recount. Everyone goes through times like that, when you’re tested, when all you can do is keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other. We knew that by the holidays – our trip was at the end of November – we would either be at the end of our respective ropes or near, and in dire need of a getaway. David and I often stay in local B&B’s

‘Getting to stay in a treehouse for our anniversary was crazy cool!’ — TIMBER RIDGE GUESTS FROM DEPAUW, INDIANA

for our infrequent mini-vacations, and this year one of us had heard about Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins and their treehouses. I found their website and booked a two-night stay that would end on our anniversary, Dec. 1. I took it as a sign when I found that a treehouse was available those two days in an otherwise packed calendar. You should take it as a sign to make reservations well in advance.

STAY IN A TREEHOUSE

Timber Ridge is Illinois’ first and only treehouse and log cabin resort. It’s nestled in the hills and the heart of the Illinois Ozarks, in Karbers Ridge.

The Shawnee National Forest is literally next door with almost all the outdoor adventures that horseback riders, hunters, fishermen, hikers, bicyclists, bird watchers and star-gazers could dream of. I’ll admit that the star-gazing appealed to us – we are not any of the aforementioned enthusiasts – but the real reason we went was, pure and simple, to stay in a treehouse. If either of us had a bucket list, that would be on it. And I’m serious about the star-gazing. Did you know that the Illinois Ozarks sits under one of the last remaining “Dark Sky” areas in the Midwest? You can actually see the rest of our very own galaxy, the Milky Way, with all of its suns, planets and shooting stars that are harder to see when we’re surrounded by man-made light. We were really looking forward to the glories of the night sky at Timber Ridge. So, after we reminded all seven of our children that we would be away for a few days, arranged for the care of our cats and hauled the trash to the curb, off we went. Life & Style : Spring 2016

GETAWAYS

The front porch of the Twin Oaks cabin.

SURROUNDED BY NATURAL BEAUTIES It was a glorious drive from Carbondale to Karbers Ridge that wound through the Ozark hills for a little more than 50 miles. We knew the general area was home to the Garden of the Gods, Cave-In-Rock, the Iron Furnace and One Horse Gap Lake, and learned from the literature that it was also home to some of the best fishing and Whitetail deer and turkey hunting in the region. Timber Ridge lies between the mighty Mississippi and Ohio rivers and we drank it all in as we drove, pointing and exclaiming like tourists, as if we hadn’t both lived in Southern Illinois all of our lives. We had reserved the smaller of the two tree houses, Maple Oak. It’s suspended between – you guessed it – a red maple and a white oak tree. But Timber Ridge accommodations also include another, bigger tree house, White Oak, built in a tree that is more than 200 years old. One of its branches extends into the cabin and another comes up through the deck, 20 feet in the air. 70 Life & Style : Spring 2016

Timber Ridge also includes three modern log cabins and Walnut Hill, a 2,300-square-foot, four-bedroom, two-bath home on 35 private acres on the back side of the resort area.

NEW ADDITION

Walnut Hill is the newest addition to Timber Ridge, with room for up to 12 guests. It truly has all the comforts of home, and then some, with a master bedroom and king-size bed, two bedrooms with queen-size beds, and one bedroom with bunk beds that sleeps six. There’s a Jacuzzi tub, a large kitchen, a dining area, a game room with a flatscreen TV, a fireplace, a Nordic Track elliptical machine, a laundry room, and a 50-foot deck overlooking the Shawnee hills. There’s a ¾-mile hiking trail between Walnut Hill and the rest of the resort, which winds through woodlands, creeks and open prairie. The rates for Walnut Hill depend on the number of guests. But it’s also available for special events, retreats and large reunions. Just ask the Canfarellis. Elizabeth and Marty Canfarelli built this 120-acre complex from scratch. Marty retired from a construction job, having worked for 24 years in Chicago high-rise buildings. Elizabeth was a senior project manager for a building supply company there. They met on a train and in short order decided to travel through life together, Elizabeth and her three children and Marty and his four. “We wanted out of the rat race,” Elizabeth said. “Both of us had always been fascinated with treehouses. My sister and I had traded coffee-table books on the subject. So, when we heard about this property, we went for it. We had an arborist in to evaluate the trees and to make them healthy enough to support a treehouse, before we built a platform and installed the suspension system for our first tree house, Maple Oak.” Elizabeth has roots in Southern Illinois. Her grandfather built drive-in theaters in Du Quoin and Mount Vernon. Those roots, she said, also drew her back to the area. “But when we arrived here on March 1, 2012, you couldn’t even walk through these fields they were so overgrown,” said Elizabeth. “Marty and I did the majority of the work, planning, clearing, building and landscaping, but it was really the whole family that made all of this a reality.”

PIECE OF HISTORY WITH ALL THE MODERN AMENITIES

Each of the Timber Ridge units is stocked with lots of fluffy towels in the bathroom; the basic appliances, utensils, pots and pans, and other supplies (including coffee) in the kitchen, and big beds (some made by a local Amish craftsman out of Sassafras wood) with

The kitchen area of the Maple Oak treehouse.

great mattresses. And they all have access to campfire areas with firewood and camp chairs, outdoor grills and picnic tables. There’s a story behind most of the buildings. For example, Twin Oaks is an authentic antique log cabin, circa 1852. The Canfarellis found it in Ford Ferry in Crittenden County, Kentucky, and in 2013 brought it across the Ohio River ferry to their property. It came to rest under a pair of ancient twin Oaks at Timber Ridge, and Elizabeth and Marty have been working on it ever since. Behind Twin Oakes, Elizabeth and Marty built a 16-foot by 24-foot, two-level tree deck, and inside the cabin, there’s a fireplace, a full kitchen, a claw-foot bathtub and shower, two queen-size beds in the loft, another on the first floor, and material you can read about the family that built it and lived in it in President Lincoln’s time.

“This is one of my favorite cabins,” Elizabeth said. “I am humbled to have rebuilt a piece of American history. If the walls could only talk, they would tell the story of their original occupants, the Flannery family. This is where I spend my summer (rebuilding and refurbishing), and I’m happy to share this piece of history with the public, with all the modern amenities, of course.” The Sassafras Ridge Cabin is two stories and sleeps six to eight, and the Hickory Hollow Cabin sleeps two to four. Elizabeth and Marty recommend the Hickory Hollow log cabin for those needing more accessibility. Just call ahead if you need wheelchair access to the unit. Rates on their units range from $120 for Hickory Hollow Cabin to $160 for Twin Oaks and from $175 for our little treehouse to $210 for the bigger one, White Oak. The rates are slightly Life & Style : Spring 2016

GETAWAYS

ABOVE: The entrance to Timber Ridge. TOP: The living area and bathroom in the White Oak treehouse. RIGHT: The sleeping area of the Maple Oak treehouse.

MORE INFO For more information on Timber Ridge Outpost & Cabins, visit timberridgeoutpost.com or call 618264-9091. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Karbers Ridge, but the official address is in Elizabethtown.

Life & Style : Spring 2016

higher on weekends. There’s a three-night minimum on holiday reservations and half of what you owe is due up front. Kids and pets are always welcome.

ACTIVITIES ABOUND

Many activities don’t require leaving the property, including archery lessons, kayak rentals, a therapeutic massage, home-baked desserts, and fishing in a pond stocked with sunfish, catfish, largemouth bass and walleye. (It’s catch and release.) Bring your own fishing equipment or buy a cane pole in the Outpost Gift Shop. The outpost is housed in a restored log cabin, circa 1850, that once sheltered a family of 12 in Dixon., Kentucky. It was disassembled, moved and rebuilt, and is now stocked with locally made artisan items, Fair Trade products and some basic supplies. We were easy guests. While Elizabeth was gracious enough to give us the grand tour of the property, David and I mostly stayed inside our home away from home in the treetops. It was unfortunate that the weather was wet and overcast when we stayed, so stargazing was not possible. But by the time we left, we considered that weather a gift. We stood on the top deck of Maple Oak as the sun was going down the second night, hoping for a break in the clouds. Wrapped in fuzzy throws and sipping hot coffee, we watched as the sun started to dip behind the ridge, and the misty fog rolled in. You could

actually watch it creep over the landscape and finally surround us until all we could see were the trees, black streaks across a greenish gray canvas. But it was what we could hear that was even more amazing – absolute and total silence, so quiet that the quiet itself took on a sound. Some animal moved a rock in the creek below, and the echoes of that slight knock bounced around us, making us both smile with sheer wonder. Elizabeth and Marty are understandably passionate about the area.

“It’s an unbelievably beautiful natural area,” Elizabeth said. “It’s raw nature, as stunning and incredible and unpredictable as nature can be.” In the morning, when we were packing to leave, the sun finally broke through the clouds and set all the birds in the treetops singing and flying about. We took many things home with us besides the sunshine and some great memories. As with any great travel experience, the trip gave us a new perspective on the year we were leaving behind and the new one coming up.

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

GOOD EATS

PHOTO COURTESY OF TRAILS END

COOKED TO

PERFECTION Volcanic cooking stones make Trails End a unique dining hotspot BY JOE SZYNKOWSKI A thick ribeye steak sizzles at 600 degrees in front of your eyes. A unique approach enables you to cook your food exactly as you like it. Live local music enhances the atmosphere. Sound enticing? Trails End Lodge Bar & Grill sure hopes so. The Cobden establishment has transformed dining into a true experience, complete with volcanic cooking stones, otherwise reserved for big cities and European eateries. Owner Brian Goins, a pilot who flies missions overseas, approached Peter Van Muylder last year for his expertise in building and overhauling restaurant concepts. Van Muylder didn’t disappoint, revitalizing the once-fledgling restaurant on the brink of closing down into a successful entity with a unique approach. “The idea is for people to cook for themselves,” said Photo by RICHARD SITLER

Life & Style : Spring 2016

Photo courtesy of TRAIL’S END

Van Muylder, a marketing consultant with international experience in finance, marketing and communications. “We brought in the stones and bought some meats to test it out. Then we bought 20 more. Then 20 more. The idea just took off.” The volcanic rocks are heated in a special oven and then placed onto specially designed stoneware plates made to withstand the intense heat. The rocks are then delivered to your table, along with your entree selection. Put some sea salt on the stone to help keep the meat from sticking, and you’re off to the culinary races. Offerings include ribeye, filet, shrimp, asparagus, sliced sweet bell peppers, pineapple and baked potatoes. Van Muylder recommends that patrons flip their meat in the first minute of cooking and, from there, sear it to their tasting. Add vegetables to the stone for a crisp, vibrant side dish. The lodge next plans on introducing frozen stones that keep ice cream from melting too quickly. The restaurant offers “spoiler alerts” for its local followers. “When the tourists leave town and the trail gets a little less crowded, we offer really great specials for our locals to let them know we appreciate them,” Van Muylder said. “This has been very well received.” Past spoiler alerts include homemade chicken and dumplings on Mondays for only $5. Check the lodge’s website and Facebook page for more deals and specials.

HOW VOLCANIC COOKING STONES WORK Lava rocks are pieces of crushed volcanic stone placed under the food on a special grate or plate. They collect juices and fat that drip down from the cooking area. When the juices contact the hot rocks, they produce smoke, which wafts up around the food. The result is a flavor closer to that from charcoal grilling than from conventional gas grilling.

TRY IT Photo by RICHARD SITLER

Ariel Barker serves Greg and Sherry Lence of Anna and John and Pat Sweazy of Christopher at the Trails End Lodge on Skyline Drive in Cobden. Trails End Lodge offers entrees that include steak and pork chops that are prepared on lava hot rocks.

Yet another differentiator is the ambiance of the lodge. Groups of up to 12 people can huddle together on one table near the fireplace. Outside, seating is available on the front and back patios, as well as the back yard. Live music indoors and out is a regular occurrence. Video gambling machines offer a diverse array of activities to go with a fully stocked bar of bottled and tap

Trails End Lodge Bar & Grill 1425 Skyline Drive, Cobden Hours: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday; noon to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday 618-893-6135, www.winetrailsend.com

beers. Also available is wine from local wineries like Von Jakob, Pheasant Hill and StarView. The lodge, which also plans to offer craft beers from Abbey Ridge and Scratch, is always looking to enter into new joint ventures with local businesses. “We really feel like we have something for everyone here,” Van Muylder said. “The tourists on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail and the locals who come in always leave happy.” Life & Style : Spring 2016

Life & Style : Spring 2016

LENS ENVY

Photogenic falls 78

Life & Style : Spring 2016

ABOVE: Burden Falls in the Shawnee National Forest. TOP: A stream flows over rocks in the Shawnee National Forest on its way to Jackson Falls.

Visit these natural beauties this spring TEXT AND PHOTOS BY BYRON HETZLER Spring is good time to visit the Shawnee National Forest and two of the popular features located in the east half of the forest, Burden Falls and Jackson Falls. Burden Falls is the easier of the two to reach and more impressive to view, located right off of Burden Falls Road in Pope County. Jackson Falls is also located in Pope County on Glen St. Falls Road. The road is rougher and not as well maintained, so take care on the drive. A short hike from the parking area leads to the falls, which is also a popular destination for rock climbers. Spring showers feed the streams making them very photogenic, but the moisture also makes the rocks around both falls slippery, so caution should be exercised. For more information about recreational opportunities in the Shawnee National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/ main/shawnee/home

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LEFT: Burden Creek spills over the upper portion of Burden Falls in the Shawnee National Forest on Sunday, April 5, 2015.

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Life & Style : Spring 2016

PARTING SHOT

p.s. PHOTO BY RICHARD SITLER

80 Life & Style : Spring 2016

Seen at sunset from the roadside park on Skyline Drive just outside of Alto Pass, the Bald Knob Cross of Peace stands on Bald Knob Mountain in Union County where Easter Sunrise services have been held annually since 1937.